Clemson Does it Again

By BJ BennettSouthernPigskin.com

Dabo Swinney's magic continues to work and his message continues to resonate.

After a dramatic 38-31 win at 20th-ranked North Carolina State, Clemson is clearly on the right track towards another College Football Playoff appearance. Remarkably, the Tigers have now won 39-of-42 contests, losing three times by a combined total of nine points in that stretch. Clemson continues to play with a late game poise that is almost beyond compare; the Tigers are 15-3 in their last 18 one-score games.

Clemson scored three second-half touchdowns and K'Von Wallace intercepted Wolfpack quarterback Ryan Finley on the night's final play to preserve the seven-point triumph. Though the Tigers were out-gained by NC State, Clemson turned the football over just once and was called for only three penalties for merely 23 yards. It was an efficient effort where the Tigers went a combined 9-of-18 on third and fourth downs and, whether it was Wallace, Kelly Bryant or Hunter Renfrow, were at their best when it mattered most.

Currently fourth in the College Football Playoff poll, Clemson now has four victories over nationally-ranked teams. Dabo Swinney's magic continues to work and his message continues to resonate.

Looking for a third-straight final four bid, the defending national champions are, once more, in great shape entering the season's stretch run. Clemson will host struggling Florida State and FCS The Citadel before playing at rival South Carolina and most likely playing in the ACC Championship Game. An earlier loss at Syracuse, one where Bryant was injured, is fading farther in the rear-view.

The Tigers stepped into the national spotlight and left with a victory once again.